Underwater garment and method of making

ABSTRACT

A garment construction for making underwater garments that may be made in several different sizes using many of the same or substantially identical panels and other key panels of varying dimension and which are cut to fit the garment to a particular individual. In an underwater garment construction having a lower portion comprising a pair of thigh-hip panels extending from the waist to the knee, a pair of leg panels extending from the knee to the ankle, one knee panel being connected to one thigh-hip panel, and a pair of key panels extending from the waist to the ankle, each key panel being connected to one pair of thigh-hip and leg panels, the width of said key panel being precisely cut to provide exact size and fit for a particular individual. An underwater garment comprising trousers, a chest panel extending around the chest of the wearer and connecting to a back panel, said back panel being cut to a particular width to fit a particular individual, and a waist panel connected end-to-end and joined to said trousers, chest and back panels, the length and width of said waist panel being cut to fit the height and girth of a particular individual.

United States Patent Rector Oct. 9, 1973 UNDERWATER GARMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING [76] Inventor: Carl T. Rector, 2408 Meadow Ln.,

Eureka, Calif. 95501 [22] Filed: Apr. 24, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 246,567

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 8,233, Feb. 3,

abandoned.

US. Cl. 2/2.1 R, 2/79, 2/227 Int. Cl. B63c 11/04, A4ld 1/06 Field of Search 2/78 R, 78 A, 78 B, 2/78 C, 79, 90, 82, 227, 243 R, 243 B, 224

R, 226, 236, 2.1 R, 2.1 A, 228

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1967 Slavick 2/2.l R 4/1963 Lash 10/1952 Friedland et a 2,281,984 5/1942 Martiny 1,831,131 11/1931 Neilson 2/78 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 453,964 l/l949 Canada 2/227 Primary ExaminerGeorge H. Krizmanich Attorney-Eckhoff, Hoppe, Slick, Mitchell &

Anderson [57] ABSTRACT A garment construction for making underwater garments that may be made in several different sizes using many of the same or substantially identical panels and other key panels of varying dimension and which are cut to fit the garment to a particular individual.

An underwater garment comprising trousers, a chest panel extending around the chest of the wearer and connecting to a back panel, said back panel being cut to a particular width to fit a particular individual, and a waist panel connected end-to-end and joinedto said trousers, chest and back panels, the length and width of said waist panel being cut to fit the height and girth of a particular individual.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED 3.7639498 SHEET NF 2 INVENTOR.

BY CARL I KECTOK ATTMIVEVS UNDERWATER GARMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 8,233 filed Feb. 3, 1970 now abandoned.

This invention relates to garment constructions and more particularly to a garment which may be manufactured economically in several different sizes, using many of the same patterns, to fit a particular person. The invention has particular application to the construction of trousers and a farmer style wetsuit.

The present cost of manufacturing wetsuits to fit a particular individual is extremely high. This cost is reflected by the many man hours required to tailor and fit patterns to the form and shape of a particular person. In many instances these suits are pieced together from patterns which are selected from hundreds of different shapes and sizes and each of which must be stocked in order to fit each individual properly.

Because of the expense required in providing a perfect fit, many manufacturers have abandoned attempts to make wetsuits to the shape and size of a particular person. Instead, these manufacturers make wetsuits from a one piece cut. But these garments do not provide the fit as may be found in the more expensive hand tailored suits.

The present invention is based on a discovery that underwater garments, particularly trousers and the farmer style wetsuit, may be formed at a relatively low cost and yet with precise fit. This is accomplished by assembling garments from particular cuts and patterns, including key patterns of varying size, to produce a garment that exactly conforms to the shape and size of a particular individual.

In brief, the present invention involves a construction for an underwater garment including a lower portion that may be made in various sizes using the same or substantially identical panels and key panels cut to a particular dimension 'to control fit. This lower portion essentially comprises-a pair of thigh-hip panels, each extending from approximately the waist to the knee, a pair of leg panels extending from approximately the knee to the ankle, and a pair of key panels, each key panel extending from the waist to the ankle and joined together at a center seam in the back. The thigh-hip and leg panels are made in patterns of a few selected sizes but each key panel is cut to a particular width. Accordingly, a wetsuit may be made for a particular person by selecting thigh-hip and leg panels for approximate size and forming key panels, cut to a particular width, which when joined to the selected panels provide a precise fit for a particular individual.

This invention further contemplates and teaches the manufacture of a farmer style garment having an upper portion that may be made in various sizes using the same or substantially identical panels and including key panels of selected and varying dimension to control size and fit for a particular person. The upper portion essentially comprises a waist panel joined end-to-end and cut to a particular length and width to fit the height and girth of the person for whom the garment is made. A chest panel extends around the chest of the wearer and connects in back to a back panel at a pair of substantially vertical seams. The chest panel may be formed in one or a few selected sizes but exact control and fit is provided by the back panel which is particularly cut to fit the upper torso of the person for whom the garment is made.

From the above brief description it will be apparent that one of the principal objects of this invention is to provide an underwater garment which may be made in several different sizes and shapes using the same or substantially identical panels, together with key panels cut to a particular size and shape, and which provides a tailor made fit for the person for whom it is made.

Another object is to provide a garment construction of the kind described which may be economically made in a range of sizes and shapes with a few selected sizes of standard panels and key panels cut to provide exact size and fit.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like parts are identified by like reference numerals throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an underwater garment formed of patterns and assembled in the preferred embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the garment;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the garment, one knee being raised to illustrate details of assembly;

FIG. 4 is a pattern and plan layout for each panel section required in the manufacture of the garment; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective and exploded view of the various panels arranged relative to each other to indicate the manner of assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a farmer style garment 10 formed of sponge rubber material and assembled from panel sections as contemplated by this invention. The lower portion of garment l0 essentially comprises a pair of right and left panels I 1 and 12 joined at the knee to a pair of leg panels 13 and 14, respectively, by a pair of knee seams 15 and 16. Each pair of connected thigh-hip and leg panels are also joined to one of a pair of key panels 17 and 18, each key panel extending from approximately the waist to the ankle. More particularly, panel 17 is joined to panels 11 and 13 by a pair of substantially vertical seams 20 and 21, and panels 12 and 14 are similarly joined to panel 18 with longitudinal seams 22 and 23. Seams 20 and 22 extend the full length of thigh-hip panels 11 and 12, intersecting with knee seams l5 and 16 and terminating at the ankle. Seams 21 and 23 extend upward from the ankle to a gusset panel 24, which forms the crotch portion of the garment. Panel 24 is essentially four-sided, each side connecting to one of the panels ll, l2, l7 and 18, respectively. The lower portion of the garment is then completed with a front center seam 25 that joins thigh-hip panels 11 and 12.

The lower portion of garment 10, formed as described above, may be made in various sizes and with a perfect fit to a particular individual. This is easily accomplished by stocking panels 11, l2, l3 and 14 in a few selected sizes and then cutting key panels 17 and 18 to provide the desired fit as best shown in FIG. 4. The broken lines illustrate those changes or adjustments which may be made to insure proper fit. One basic adjustment is of course in width as indicated by broken line 26. However, an exact fit for any particular person is assured by measuring that individual and providing key adjustments at the ankle, calf, knee, thigh,

hips and waist. This is indicated by the broken lines 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32, respectively.

Another adjustment or modification in the key panel is represented by the shaded portion or extension of the key panel indicated by the reference number 33. This portion is not used in combination with gusset 24 but serves as an alternate or substitute construction which replaces gusset 24 when used with a key panel of similar construction. Nevertheless, the use of a gusset panel provides a better fit to the garment and is utilized in preferred embodiments of the invention.

Farmer style garment further provides an upper portion comprising a waist panel 35 joined end-to-end at a back seam 36. Panel 35 is cut to a particular width and length from a standard pattern as to fit the height and girth of a particular person. The upper portion of garment 10 also includes a chest panel 37 that extends around the chest of the wearer and connects to a back panel 38 at a pair of substantially vertical seams 39 and 40. Chest panel 37 includes a pair of shoulder straps 37a and 37b integrally formed therewith and extending from back portions of the panel. Conventional means such as snaps and/or material fasteners are provided at the ends of the straps and on the front portion of the chest panel, and when joined together form arm loops.

Chest panel 37, which forms by far the largest area above the waist, may be made in but one or a few selected sizes. Proper fit is insured by cutting back panel 38 to a particular width to fit the chest size of a particular person for whom the garment is made. Referring to FIG. 4, the key points of adjustment in panel 38 are based on measurements made in the areas indicated by broken lines 41 and 42.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, various modifications and changes may be resorted to without departing from spirit of the invention or the scope of the attached claims and each of such modifications and changes is contemplated.

I claim:

1. A method of fabricating large and small sized underwater pant garments having a waistline, a kneeline and an ankleline from a set of fixed dimension standard panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment and additional panels cut to size comprising: providing a pair of thigh-hip panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment, each extending from a waistline to a kneeline; providing a pair ofleg panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment and extending from a kneeline to an ankleline; providing blank material adapted to be cut to form a pair of key panels that extend from a waistline to an ankleline; cutting only said blank material to predetermined panel size to form a pair of key panels extending from a waistline to an ankleline and based on the specific conformation of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said panels to form a pant garment whose girth sizes between the waistline and ankleline is determined only by the width size of said key panels.

2. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing blank material; cutting a waistband panel from said material, said waistband panel being cut to a particular length and width to fit the height and girth at the waistline of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said waistband panel to the waistlines of the interconnected thigh-hip and key panels.

3. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing a chest and side panel of fixed dimension for a large size garment that extends between a neckline and a waistline; providing blank material; cutting a back panel from said material, said back panel being cut to a particular width based on the size of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said back panel with the chest and side panel along a pair of substantially vertical seams to form an upper portion whose girth is determined only by the size of the back panel.

4. An underwater garment including a lower portion having a waistline, a knee line and an ankleline and adapted for fabrication from a set of fixed dimension standard panels and additional panel sections of variable size for controlling size and fit of the lower garment portion, comprising; a pair of fixed dimension, standard thigh-hip panels; each said thigh-hip panel extending approximately from a waistline to a kneeline; a pair of fixed dimension, standard leg panels; each said leg panel extending approximately from a kneeline to an ankleline; a pair of key panels; each said key panel extending approximately from a waistline to an ankleline and being defined by longitudinal edges extending from waistline to ankleline the transverse width between said longitudinal edges being selected to control fit for a particular person; means connecting the kneeline of one leg panel to the kneeline of one thigh-hip panel; means connecting the kneeline of the other leg panel to the kneeline of the other thigh-hip panel; means connecting a portion of one longitudinal edge of each key panel to form the seat of the garment; means joining the remaining portion of said one longitudinal edge of each key panel to one edge of a thigh-hip panel and a leg panel; and means joining the other longitudinal edge of each key panel to a second edge of a thighhip panel and knee panel, respectively.

5. The underwater garment of claim 4, further comprising a waist panel secured to the waistlines of said thigh-hip panels and said key panels, said waist panel being cut to a particular length and width from a standard pattern to fit the height and girth of the person for whom the garment is made.

6. The underwater garment of claim 4, further comprising an upper fixed dimension, standard chest panel that extends between a pair of substantially parallel and longitudinal back lines; a back panel of predetermined width between substantially parallel and longitudinal back lines, the width of said back panel being selected to fit the chest size of the person for whom the garment is made; and means connecting the back lines of said chest panel to the back lines of said back panel and forming an upper portion of said underwater garment. i i i 

1. A method of fabricating large and small sized underwater pant garments having a waistline, a kneeline and an ankleline from a set of fixed dimension standard panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment and additional panels cut to size comprising: providing a pair of thigh-hip panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment, each extending from a waistline to a kneeline; providing a pair of leg panels dimensioned for a large size pant garment and extending from a kneeline to an ankleline; providing blank material adapted to be cut to form a pair of key panels that extend from a waistline to an ankleline; cutting only said blank material to predetermined panel size to form a pair of key panels extending from a waistline to an ankleline and based on the specific conformation of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said panels to form a pant garment whose girth sizes between the waistline and ankleline is determined only by the width size of said key panels.
 2. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing blank material; cutting a waistband panel from said material, said waistband panel being cut to a particular length and width to fit the height and girth at the waistline of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said waistband panel to the waistlines of the intErconnected thigh-hip and key panels.
 3. The method of claim 1, including the steps of providing a chest and side panel of fixed dimension for a large size garment that extends between a neckline and a waistline; providing blank material; cutting a back panel from said material, said back panel being cut to a particular width based on the size of the person for whom the garment is made; and interconnecting said back panel with the chest and side panel along a pair of substantially vertical seams to form an upper portion whose girth is determined only by the size of the back panel.
 4. An underwater garment including a lower portion having a waistline, a knee line and an ankleline and adapted for fabrication from a set of fixed dimension standard panels and additional panel sections of variable size for controlling size and fit of the lower garment portion, comprising; a pair of fixed dimension, standard thigh-hip panels; each said thigh-hip panel extending approximately from a waistline to a kneeline; a pair of fixed dimension, standard leg panels; each said leg panel extending approximately from a kneeline to an ankleline; a pair of key panels; each said key panel extending approximately from a waistline to an ankleline and being defined by longitudinal edges extending from waistline to ankleline the transverse width between said longitudinal edges being selected to control fit for a particular person; means connecting the kneeline of one leg panel to the kneeline of one thigh-hip panel; means connecting the kneeline of the other leg panel to the kneeline of the other thigh-hip panel; means connecting a portion of one longitudinal edge of each key panel to form the seat of the garment; means joining the remaining portion of said one longitudinal edge of each key panel to one edge of a thigh-hip panel and a leg panel; and means joining the other longitudinal edge of each key panel to a second edge of a thigh-hip panel and knee panel, respectively.
 5. The underwater garment of claim 4, further comprising a waist panel secured to the waistlines of said thigh-hip panels and said key panels, said waist panel being cut to a particular length and width from a standard pattern to fit the height and girth of the person for whom the garment is made.
 6. The underwater garment of claim 4, further comprising an upper fixed dimension, standard chest panel that extends between a pair of substantially parallel and longitudinal back lines; a back panel of predetermined width between substantially parallel and longitudinal back lines, the width of said back panel being selected to fit the chest size of the person for whom the garment is made; and means connecting the back lines of said chest panel to the back lines of said back panel and forming an upper portion of said underwater garment. 